New York City woke up muggy on Wednesday, with temperatures already hovering near 79°F and the thermostat nowhere near done climbing. A Heat Advisory is in effect until 9 PM EDT Wednesday, July 15, 2026, and forecasters say actual highs could reach around 98°F, with feels-like temperatures close to 100–101°F across much of the five boroughs. If you are planning to be outside, expect a hot, gusty afternoon and not a lot of relief once the sun goes down.
Heat Advisory Today
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory through 9 PM EDT Wednesday, July 15, 2026, warning that soaring temperatures combined with high humidity will drive heat indices to near or above 100°F in many city neighborhoods. The advisory covers Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island, and is particularly worrisome for seniors, young children and anyone without air conditioning. Officials are urging people to ease up on strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day and to drink plenty of water.
Where To Cool Off
For New Yorkers who need a break from the heat, cooling centers, spray showers and other relief options are available citywide. Locations can be found on the Beat The Heat page or by calling 311, with the city highlighting accessible and pet-friendly sites for those who need them, according to NYC Emergency Management. For more on how this advisory developed and the broader heat pattern this week, see our July 13 update on the city’s two-day heat blast. Transit riders should also be ready for steamier-than-usual station platforms during the afternoon commute.
Haze, Rip Currents and Late-Day Storms
Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting into the region could keep skies hazy and visibility reduced at times through Thursday, and forecasters say air quality may be an issue for more sensitive groups, according to the National Weather Service. At ocean beaches, a high risk of rip currents and advisory-level conditions offshore are in play, so lifeguard instructions are not optional today and risky swimming is strongly discouraged. There is also a slight chance of showers or isolated thunderstorms from late afternoon into early evening; any storm that does pop could bring a brief burst of damaging wind gusts.
Looking Ahead
Temperatures step down a bit on Thursday, with highs closer to the low 90s as somewhat drier air moves in behind a front, bringing at least some overnight relief. The weather pattern looks more unsettled this weekend, with the best chances for showers and thunderstorms from Saturday into Sunday, so it is worth keeping tabs on forecasts if you are planning to spend time outdoors.
